Voters Across The Political Spectrum Support Comprehensive Net Neutrality Legislation

Voters Across The Political Spectrum Support Comprehensive Net Neutrality Legislation

While the results of the midterm elections are still a week away, what is clear already is that there is a bipartisan appetite for comprehensive net neutrality legislation at the national level. Throughout the election cycle, voters across the political spectrum have made clear that they want Congress to take action on net neutrality. They also agree that consistent and transparent federal legislation, not subject to the whims of each election, is preferable to the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) now-repealed Title II regulations.

Broadband for America stands with the majority of Americans in supporting federal legislation that ensures a free and open Internet, and safeguards Americans’ rights online. The Internet is too important to be left to partisan stunts, a patchwork of state rules or Depression-era regulations that tie it up in red tape. Congress must cross the aisle to enact comprehensive net neutrality.

Comprehensive Net Neutrality Legislation Widely Favored By Voters:

By A Two-To-One Margin, Voters Say Congress Needs To Pass Comprehensive Legislation That Ensures Net Neutrality And Protects Their Rights Online. “Instead, voters overwhelmingly prefer comprehensive legislation that would establish a clear set of consistent and transparent rules that can be applied fairly to the many stakeholders’ dependent on the internet. By a 2 to 1 margin, voters said Congress needs to pass new legislation that protects them and the internet alike instead of reinstating rules that only apply to one sector of the internet.” (Bill McInturff & David Binder, “Voters Support Comprehensive Legislation To Protect Open Internet,” InsideSources, 5/10/18)

“An Overwhelming 87 Percent Of Voters React Positively To Arguments For A New Legislative Approach” To Net Neutrality, Rather Than Reinstating Title II Regulations. “Our findings also showed that an overwhelming 87 percent of voters react positively to arguments for a new legislative approach that sets one clear set of rules to protect consumer privacy that applies to all internet companies, websites, devices and applications instead of using this CRA.” (Bill McInturff & David Binder, “Voters Support Comprehensive Legislation To Protect Open Internet,” InsideSources, 5/10/18)

More Than 70 Percent Of Voters Agree “Title II Regulations Aren’t The Solution.” “Indeed, 72 percent of voters say a good reason to reject the CRA is that Title II regulations aren’t the solution. These voters share concerns that governing the internet based on decades-old rules from the 1930s isn’t appropriate for dynamic digital networks.” (Bill McInturff & David Binder, “Voters Support Comprehensive Legislation To Protect Open Internet,” InsideSources, 5/10/18)

CALinnovates Executive Director Mike Montgomery: “There Is A Clear Path Forward To Establish Strong Net Neutrality For Everyone Who Uses The Internet – A Simple, Straightforward Federal Law That Includes All The Core Protections Without Any Of The Controversial Add-Ons.” (Mike Montgomery, “This Is Why California Should Not Go It Alone On Net Neutrality,” The Sacramento Bee, 10/24/18)

A. Philip Randolph Institute President Clayola Brown: “A Bipartisan Internet Reform Effort Could Also Include – At Long Last – A Legislative Solution On Net Neutrality. Contrary To The Conventional Wisdom On The Issue, Support For Net Neutrality Cuts Across Party Lines.” (Clayola Brown, “A Bipartisan Project: Reining In The Tech Monopolies,” The Baltimore Sun, 10/25/18)

American Enterprise Fellow Alex Brill: “Though ‘Net Neutrality’ Is Unlikely To Be Truly Important In November When More Significant Matters Are At Stake, There Could Still Be A Looming Policy Question That Needs To Be Addressed … Fearing A Constant Tug Of War At The FCC, Some Stakeholders Have Suggested That Instead Of Hopeless Games Like A CRA Vote, Congress Should Legislate A Fix That Can Better Stand The Test Of Time.” (Alex Brill, “Election Season Is Great Time To Debate Net Neutrality In America,” The Hill, 5/8/18)

National Council On Black Civic Participation President Melanie L. Campbell & Black Women’s Roundtable Senior Policy Adviser Joycelyn Tate: “As America Becomes Increasingly More Reliant On A Digital Economy, Congress Must Overcome Its Gridlock And Move Forward With An Equally Aggressive Effort To Come To Radical Consensus On Internet Openness And Grapple With Negotiating Bipartisan Legislation That Will Protect Our Civil Rights And Consumers’ Privacy And Data Online.” (Melanie L. Campbell & Joycelyn Tate, “The Time Is Now For Congress To Protect Our Democracy And Online Privacy,” Morning Consult, 10/17/18)

LGBT Tech Deputy Director Carlos Gutierrez: “It’s Time For Democrats And Republicans Alike To End The Grandstanding And Responsibility Ducking. Congress Should Make Sure That Both Internet Providers And Tech Giants Are Held Accountable To Net Neutrality Rules And To Help Rid The Internet Of Its Metastasizing Trolls.” (Carlos Gutierrez, “We Need To Regulate The Internet. Just Ask Gay And Lesbian Americans,” The Sacramento Bee, 9/18/18)

Former Administrator Of The U.S. Small Business Administration Hector V. Barreto: “Congress And Candidates For Office Must Look To The Future By Passing Legislation That Encourages More Private Investment To Expand Broadband To Rural Communities And Ensures That Small Business Owners Can Continue To Grow And Help Drive America’s Economy In The Digital Age.” (Hector V. Barreto, “Why Imposing Outdated Internet Rules Is Folly,” The Washington Times, 10/2/18)

Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Executive Vice President Patricia Ford: “It’s Up To Party Leadership On Both Sides To Prove, Contrary To Growing Populist Sentiment In Both Camps, That They Are Not Made Up Of Decaying Old Politicians But Rather Modern Problem Solvers Up To The Task Of Protecting The Most Important Communications Medium Of Our Time.” (Patricia Ford, “Net Neutrality All But Forgotten By Congress And The Public,” Florida Today, 9/17/18)